Dutch 3D printer company Ultimaker BV has earned a reputation for its high-quality machines that produce highly accurate prints – and the Ultimaker 3 is no exception.
The Ultimaker 3, is the latest model from the Dutch 3D-printing giant, and follows the success of its previous model – the Ultimaker 2.
It offers more features and more flexibility than its predecessor, making it a very attractive 3D printer for serious users.
The Ultimaker 3 has the same sleek white-plastic design as the Ultimaker 2, with built-in LED lights that give it a sci-fi look.
This machine is aimed squarely at professionals and prosumers for rapid prototyping of both complex geometries (precision builds) and the use of multiple, industrial-grade polymer materials.
The Ultimaker 3 comes with two print cores (extruder heads).
You can use either two filament colors or use one core for build material and the other for dissolvable support material. The extruder heads can be swapped out with just a pinch of a lever, which is convenient if you're looking to change out materials or if a print head needs replacing.
The machine offers outstanding print resolution, anywhere from 20 to 200 microns.
Compact and lightweight
The Ultimaker 3 comes mostly preassembled, so setting it up is simple. You remove some tape, install the print spool holder and connect a cable, and the Ultimaker 3 is ready to go.
It is compact and lightweight and can be easily transported.
The printer includes a Wi-Fi interface, which you set up using the Ultimaker app, available for both iOS and Android. This app can also monitor and control prints. We were up and printing about 30 minutes after opening the box.
This hotspot-enabled 3D printer lets you remotely monitor print jobs with an onboard camera that feeds images through a Wi-Fi link, and you can connect a laptop or desktop computer to it using Wi-Fi or Ethernet. It also comes with a USB port, from which you can print models via files stored on a thumb drive.
Excellent quality
Ultimaker uses a free, open-source software called Cura to prepare your model for 3D printing. Cura software is also used by other 3D printer makers, such as Lulzbot and Prusa.
For novices, Cura makes it easy to get great results, and for experts there are over 200 settings to adjust a job to your needs.
The Ultimaker 3 is a high class, solid 3D printer that can produce excellent-quality 3D prints.
It is a great choice for users looking for a flexible, top-draw 3D printer that can produce stunning quality using a broad range of materials.
The Ultimaker 3 is available in Australia from Imaginables.
